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August 21, 2012

On the Champions League referee appointments (I)

After a definitely too long break following last season's club football comprising UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, the phenomenal European Championships at Poland/Ukraine, European's top competitions have already commenced their entire qualfying rounds and with the pending Play-Offs that will start today, a new season of sparkling football lies ahead.For UEFA's referees, this is another season where they can reach sensations, as Pedro Proença did last season, to generally show their skills and furthermore to take next steps within their development.

UEFA has again set new standards. Since Pierluigi Collina has headed the referee committee, there have been plenty of remarkable changes every now and then. Starting from officials getting the same team within the K.O. stage was a rarity once, examples like Carlos Velasco Carballo in 2010/11 and Felix Brych in 2011/12 clearly indicate that the slogan impossible is nothing also counts for their appointment strategy. In addition, the committee has extended the pool of referees who either are already joining the ELITE group or who are under obvious observation for that, being in Elite Development. 22 Elitereferees and 14 Elite development referees will have remarkable chances to get UEFA Champions League matches, in total 36 officials plus many potential talents from First Group who could get a match as well.

In 2010/11, a number of 44 different referees took charge of the 125 Champions League encounters. In 2009/10, it was much less, only 32 referees got the honour to blow the whistle in the most famous club competition of the world. That might display the rising trust in their officials or simply that Collina and his colleagues have decided to go more risk, to appoint more prospective referees for Champions League matches to facilitate collecting early experiences. David Fernández Borbalán and Tom Harald Hagen were even given two matches in Champions League group stage, although they had still joined the First Group of referees at that point of time. Manuel De Sousa, Ovidiu Hategan or Antony Gautier received one match being First Group members, too. However, UEFA seems to have just returned to their old policy, having given the 125 Champions League matches to 46 (2008/09), 42 (2007/08), 41 (2006/07) and 45 (2005/06) referees before the season prior to 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Another change is, as already mentioned in a previous post, that Elite Development referees may finally handle Champions League Play-Offs. Until this season, that was normally reserved for Elite officials.

Marijo Strahonja of Croatia will take control over Copenhagen's clash between FC København and OSC Lille. Both teams have a lot of fresh experience in this competition, so that a match with two teams on the approximately same level is to be expected. It is remarkable that Strahonja does not receive a less sonorous match than this one, this duel is certainly one of the top3 of this Play-Off round. UEFA is giving him full trust; the Croatian, who had managed to overtake Ivan Bebek, made his Champions League bow in 2011/12, having been in charge of Manchester United vs Otelul Galati. His three Europa League performances were slightly up-and-down, at least his last match (Salzburg - Metalist) revealed a crucial mistake. This match poses a real test, which becomes clear by UEFA committee member Jaap Uilenberg observing the Croatian team. Sinisa Premuzaj and Igor Krmar have unfolded to continue being his regular assistant referees, with Igor Pristovnik and Ante Vucemilovic-Simunovic jr at the goalline. FIFA assistant referee Goran Pataki will function as fourth official.

Two Portuguese teams will act today, headed by Pedro Proença (M'gladbach - Dynamo Kyiv) and Olegário Benquerença, who will perform his debut after a long injury in the match between Helsingborg and Celtic. There is not too much to say concerning Pedro Proença, who is certainly a good choice for the expectedly tough duel at Borussia Park. The German teams' statistics with Proença's involvement in UEFA Champions League are devastating. In four matches, Bayern München and Schalke 04 have undergone three losses and one draw (resulting in a loss in 2012 final). It is remarkable that Tiago Trigo and specially Venâncio Raposo Tomé will assist him. Raposo Tomé joined 2011 UEFA U21 EURO and will now make his Champions League debut. Duarte Gomes, João Capela and Rui Tavares complete the team, that will be observed by Finland's Kaj Natri.

For Benquerença, it is an important sign that UEFA has been patient with him. At 2010 World Cup, he counted to the better European referees. You can expect a lot - or nothing. Brilliant performances like in Manchester United - Chelsea London were followed by catastrophes like SSC Napoli - Bayern München. Matches with him never become boring: in thus far 29 Champions League
matches (including Play-Off matches), he has until now booked 127
players (4,4 yellows per match) and has dismissed 11 players (0,38 red
cards per match), which are the highest averages among all the Elite referee (only Webb and Atkinson have shown nearly thus many cards; Atkinson even more yellows, but less reds). Bertino Miranda, João Santos (who roughly speaking messed Manuel De Sousa's Champions League up), Artur Soares Dias, Carlos Taborda Xistra and, as the fourth official, Ricardo Santos will accompany him. Peter Mikkelsen, FIFA referee committee member, will observe his come-back.

After a strong last season, Jonas Eriksson could reach a lot next year. Accompanied by a new assistant referee - Daniel Wärnmark - he will oversee a match that already took place in 2010/11 group stage (in those days refereed by Alan Kelly and Laurent Duhamel). It could become an intense duel, so the Swedish team must be prepared and may not underestimate a match, which they will certainly not do at all. Observed by Wilfried Heitmann of Germany, Mathias Klasenius, above mentioned Daniel Wärnmark, Martin Strömbergsson, Tobias Mattsson and Stefan Wittberg will assist the 85-fold millionaire from Sigtuna.

Last but actually starting first, Spartak Moskva will meet Fenerbahce at Luzhniki Stadium at 18:00 CET. England's Martin Atkinson has received this match, which on paper indicates a tough evening. With 5,0 yellow cards per match, Atkinson heads the statistics of active Elite referees with more than 10 matches in UEFA Champions League. If I bet, I would predict many cards, but that is only a theory, one may be excited how he solved his task today. He is already familiar with both teams, which he refereed once each. Peter Kirkup will not accompany Howard Webb in the next season(s), probably due to his defective performance at EURO 2012. Stuart Burt will make his Champions League bow as assistant referee, after three Europa League matches in the last season. Michael Oliver and Michael Jones will stand at the bylines, while Olympic finalist Stephen Child will be the fourth official. The team will be observed by Switzerland's Andreas Schluchter.

46
Comments:

Did not like that 2nd yellow card for Williams either, all ball, no contact with the player, and seemed like he was doing all he could to avoid the player. Geiger can be a good referee, but he must put a stamp on the game like this early, or else the challenges will keep getting worse and result in a melee. He seems to let many little things go to keep the game flowing and wait with the cards, but in a rivalry game like this with both teams fighting for spots in the MLS playoff structure it needs to be stamped out.

Overall very Good performance by strahonja in parken stadium. 2 justified YC for Lille. Good application of advantage rule. Just One clear foul forgotten. Good penalty decision with AAR help. Very Strong physical velocity. Good performance of the two AA. So, in conclusion, jaap uilenberg may be convinced.

I agree Benoit. Watched the whole match. He could have issued 2 more YC but that was my only problem. Excellent advantage before the goal and excellent physical condition. Report will be ready by tomorrow.

Kyiv will probably not know themselves who they won by 3-1 yesterday. Gladbach did all the work, had many 90% chances but in the end, Kyiv were icecold. Proenca with expected level, good yellows due to a hard foul and a dive, but some things he always makes (e.g. when a debatable duel occurs, he whistles free-kick with 2 seconds delay, and directly runs to the next position without explaining his decision or even allowing interaction.

Atkinson as I said, with a crucial mistake. The rest was not very good, missed a yellow for studs-up/dangerous play. Probably 7,3. And yes Chefren, he used the green kit. Proenca used the normal adidas yellow kit, so obviously, they do not need to wear the new cl kits in play-offs.

And I have watched aso the last minute, in which the control was totally lost.What is Eriksson's problem? Probably his problem is that he wants always to try to solve a problem (a riot for example) on the pitch by a sudden decision, and most of the times this decision is wrong. He gets always angry and he wants to show a big authority, but sometimes the players aren't convinced by that behavior.In my opinion, sometimes he should wait and look for the cooperation of his assistants, and he should be less crude in his behavior: many times he makes the gesture of "Shut up" with the finger near his mouth. Not so graceful, for sure.

One problem seems to be that his decisions are often not understood by the players. Maybe it's a lack of feel for the game or however you want to call it. The result can be that players take matters into their own hands instead of relying on the referee.

I am shocked that such fouls like Degen's are still considered as yellow. I mean, what knowledge is still needed to show red cards for those fouls? Your calf, heel can break, heavy injuries are the consequences. Such fouls must be red with a punishment not under 5 matches. Eriksson has disappointed me four times in a row (GER-NED was good).

I have a question to ask, maybe Niclas or Chefren can have an answer! Why the new refs (2012 new FIFA) had ALL of them just 1 match in the 1st round of UCL/UEL (one exception, Wim Smet - Belgium, because he had no minitournament in march/may because of injury)? And why the refs from First started so early? I mean...they already had 3 matches..+ the ones they will have in the group stage! Is it ok like that?

I think that UEFA has already a fixed amount of matches to assign to the new FIFA referees on the list, and probably the number of matches for each referee depends on the number of new FIFA referee of the relative year.

About the first category referees, in fact in the last year something has changed. Two and more years ago, not so many Catgory 1 referee got matches before the playoff of CL and EL, but now probably they are appointed also in these 3 preliminary rounds due to the high number of referee in that category, and so the impossibility to see all them three times in the group stage.We should wait and see. Another explanation is that UEFA use these matches to test referees, for example one year ago people like Stavrev and Mazic were appointed since the second preliminary round of EL/CL, and at the end of year 2011, they were promoted.By the way, with Collina, as Niclas often has written too, many things have changed.

Very good Cakir in the first half of DIN-MB, only one or two minor mistakes. Take a look, however, at a shocking decision of AR1 in the 34th or 35th minute. He signaled an offside of MB's Beric which was not even close!

Solid performance of Cakir in the second half, with more mistakes, however still a good impression overall. AR1 with a few ridiculus decisions also in the second half, I don't know what was wrong with this man...Sale

3 Yellow cards for Mazic at the first half but he seems lost to this game. Many missed fouls and 3 riots between players which were solved with the help from his assistants. A very interesting match with a lot of nerves.

Edward, do you watch the same game? Is every contact foul? Do the rules allow for kicking the ball after an interruption? Is red card Jovanovic extraordinary decision (second yellow)? Absolutely.Is the goal Anderlecht and second goal AEL scored after advantages?They are, indeed! CONTROL-quite solid.

I never write misinformation. Everything I am going to write will be completely true. Furthermore I haven't decide my mark for him. This will happen tomorrow. Finally if you read closely what I write you will see that it is a comment only for the first half. I haven't write anything for the second one and the penalty appeal by AEL and the red card for Anderlecht.

EDWARD, let's be realistic-match wasn't the CL level -a slow, weak rhythm. Maybe he should have shown another yellow card Anderlecht player in the first half.Also two or three fouls in the second half ... Players are given a yellow card in the rubbish, but justly!Penalty kick- AEL? There was contact, but not for a penalty kick.With a suggestion, this is a well-anticipated trial, say 8,3 ... Vladimir, Montenegro

I wrote penalty appeal by AEL. It was a minimal pulling but not a penalty. As for the red card it is correct. My objection is the lack of control between min. 25-35 and some Yellow cards he should have given. I haven't decided on mark yet. I just began to write my report.

Stark with very good performance. He was always close to the play and as always meticulous, official, consistent, self-confident and strict. All cards correct, maybe with his approach one or two missed. There was very difficult situation to detect when Lima fouled Willians but shortly before he was stepped on by Danilo (so a penalty kick should have been given). However, it was nearly impossible to detect and taking into account the referee is not robot we can't consider it as a crucial mistake. Also very good Salver, Pickel and Fritz (with a very important call), Welz not involved.Regards

What a so-So performance by undiano mallenco with Belgrad - bordeaux in Europa league! A lot of unfair tackles by serbian players, sometimes with violence. Just One card per half. Missed a lot of disciplinary décisions. Indirect free kick for Belgrad forgotten with a voluntary pass to goalkeeper by bordeaux defensor. Very lenient, far from the game. :/